Quick-Braised Five-Spice Sirloin and Shiitake Stew

1½ teaspoons Chinese five-spice powder, or to taste

Kosher salt

1½ pounds boneless sirloin steak, trimmed of fat and cut into strips 1½-inches wide by ¼-inch thick

2 tablespoons vegetable or peanut oil

1 bunch scallions, white and light-green parts, cut crosswise into thin slices

10 ounces shiitake mushrooms, stemmed and cut into ¼-inch slices

⅓ cup Chinese rice wine (michiu; see headnote)

½ cup no-salt-added beef broth

½ cup fresh orange juice

12 ounces baby bok choy, trimmed and cut crosswise into ¼- to ½-inch strips

2 teaspoons sugar

2 teaspoons low-sodium soy sauce

2 teaspoons cornstarch

Combine the Chinese five-spice powder and salt to taste in a small bowl, then rub the mixture all over the steak.

Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in large, nonstick shallow braising pan or saute pan over medium-high heat. Once the oil shimmers, add half of the beef strips and stir-fry for 3 to 4 minutes or until the meat loses its raw look; it might not be cooked through. Transfer to a plate. Add the remaining beef to the pan and repeat, adding the second batch to the plate.

Add the remaining tablespoon of oil to the pan; heat for 1 minute, then add the scallions, mushrooms and a pinch of salt; cook, stirring, until the mushrooms soften, 4 to 5 minutes. Stir in the rice wine and cook for 1 minute, then add the broth, half of the orange juice, all of the beef and any accumulated juices, the bok choy, sugar and soy sauce, stirring to incorporate. Once the liquid comes to a boil, cover and immediately reduce the heat to medium or medium-low so the liquid just barely bubbles at the edges. Cook until the bok choy is tender, stirring a couple of times, for about 12 minutes.

Whisk the remaining orange juice with the cornstarch in a small bowl, until smooth. Uncover the pan; increase the heat to medium-high, bringing the liquid back to a boil. Pour in the orange juice mixture and immediately stir to combine. The liquid should thicken in a minute or two. Taste, and adjust the seasoning as needed. Serve warm.

Serves five.

Nutrition values per serving: 300 calories, 12 g fat (3 g saturated), 12 g carbohydartes, 2 g fiber, 6 g sugar, 33 g protein, 50 mg cholesterol, 230 mg sodium.

Stephanie Witt Sedgwick for The Washington Post